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OCTOBER 2026

STAFFORD

Living

Homegrown & Heartfelt: HOW THE LONGS CULTIVATE COMMUNITY

Photo by Karen Presecan Photography

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2 StaffordLiving

© Best Version Media IT’S SPOOKY SEASON, STAFFORD! No ghosts or ghouls in here though. We have another packed issue for you, starring some local celebrities: The Long Family. Not many can say that they have had as big of an impact on Stafford’s entrepreneurs as Robin and Lester Long and the community they’ve created through their farmers market.

PUBLICATION TEAM

We have a few other surprises in store, so what are you waiting for? Dive in! Happy reading!

Mallory Hardgrove

Dori Stewart Publisher

Mallory Hardgrove Content Coordinator

Crissy Hall Executive Assistant to the Publisher

Valynda Phifer Publisher’s Assistant

Laura Anderson Designer

Karen Presecan Photographer

Kira Pohwala Contributing Writer

Cherice Taylor Contributing Writer

Karie Owens Contributing Writer

Table of

CONTENTS

5 6 8 10

Expert Contributor How to Navigate Selling & Buying in a Shifting Market Home Improvement Corner Warm Up Your Home: Flooring Trends for Fall Into the Holidays Resident Feature Homegrown & Heartfelt: How the Longs Cultivate Community High School Highlights Finding Stories at Mountain View

8 13 14

Pet Corner Spook-Free Pets: A Vet’s Halloween Guide Kids Corner October: Dazzle’s Mix-and-Match Pumpkin Patch

CONTENT SUBMISSION DEADLINES:

Content is due by the 10th of the month preceding the month of publication. Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted, inclusive of materials generated or composed through artificial intelligence (AI). All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party. © 2026 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.

Katrina Spies Contributing Writer

Stephanie Cox Contributing Writer

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Contact: Dori Stewart Email: doristewart@bestversionmedia.com Phone: (540) 288-7928

FEEDBACK/IDEAS/SUBMISSIONS:

Have feedback, ideas or submissions? We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are the 10th of each month. Go to www.bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas and photos to: doristewart@bestversionmedia.com

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The Stafford and Fredericksburg, VA real estate market is shifting from a seller’s market toward a more balanced, buyer-friendly environment. Interest rates are up, and inventory is rising, but prices remain elevated compared to historical norms. Success now requires strategy on both sides of the transaction. For Sellers: Strategies to Stand Out • Price realistically. Overpricing is the most common mistake sellers make. Work with an agent who bases your price on recently sold data, not what a neighbor sold for months ago. • Prepare your home. A pre-listing inspection, staging, professional photos, and minor repairs help move-in-ready homes sell faster and for more. • Be flexible with showings. More buyer options mean accessibility, including evenings and weekends, matters more than ever. • Consider incentives. Closing cost assistance or a home warranty can set your listing apart, especially for first-time buyers For Buyers: Opportunities in a Changing Market • Get pre-approved. It signals seriousness to sellers and clarifies your budget. • Don’t wait for the perfect rate. Buy when you’re ready and find the right home, you can refinance later if rates drop. • Negotiate strategically. More inventory means more room to ask for closing cost help, repairs, or a lower price. • Think long-term. Homes in desirable locations with strong schools and commuter access tend to hold value, so focus on fit over timing. Key Local Market Factors • Interest rates: Higher rates have slowed demand in some price segments, but many buyers are adjusting budgets rather than sitting on the sidelines. • Inventory: More listings mean more choices and less pressure to rush. • Relocation demand: Quantico and other federal agencies continue to drive military and government buyer activity, even in a slower market.

• New construction: More new homes are available, offering lowmaintenance, modern options, though delays and added costs are possible. Fallen-through contracts can also mean good deals on quick-delivery homes. Working with a Realtor An experienced local agent brings real-time pricing data, negotiation skill, connections to lenders and contractors, and guidance through contingencies and timelines, all critical in a shifting market. A Note on Appraisals Appraisals can become negotiation points if they come in below contract price. Options include renegotiating, covering the gap, or challenging the appraisal with new comparables. The Bottom Line Shifting markets bring challenges and opportunities alike. Sellers should focus on preparation and pricing; buyers on patience and smart negotiation. With the right strategy and a knowledgeable local agent, Stafford and Fredericksburg still offer strong value for those ready to move.

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October2026 5

HOME IMPROVEMENT

corner © Best Version Media

WARM UP YOUR HOME: FLOORING TRENDS FOR FALL INTO THE HOLIDAYS By Karie Owens • Photos provided by NK Floors

As the weather cools and the holiday season approaches, homeowners start thinking about how their spaces feel underfoot. Fall and the holidays mean more time indoors, more guests through the front door, and more reasons to want a home that feels warm, welcoming, and put-together. Here is what’s trending in flooring this season and how to bring it into your home before the first holiday gathering. Warm Tones Are Back After years of cool grays dominating living rooms and kitchens, the pendulum has swung toward warmth. Honey, caramel, chestnut, and soft beige tones are appearing in showrooms everywhere, offering a rich, grounded look that pairs beautifully with the golds and deep reds of holiday décor. These mid-tone shades work with both traditional

and modern furnishings, so you’re not locked into a single holiday decorating style. Why does it work for fall and the holidays? Warm wood tones instantly make a room feel cozier, which is perfect for the season when everyone’s gathering indoors. Texture Over Shine Glossy, high-polish floors are being replaced with matte and low-sheen finishes. Wirebrushed planks, hand-scraped woods, and matte tile are having a moment, adding tactile richness to a room and doing double duty by hiding the everyday scuffs that come with holiday foot traffic. Why does it work for fall and holidays? With more guests, kids, and pets moving through the house, a textured, low-sheen floor hides wear better than a glossy one, while still looking intentional.

Pattern With Purpose Herringbone and chevron layouts continue to lead the pack in both hardwood and luxury vinyl. Rather than an all-over patterned floor, many homeowners use these layouts

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© Best Version Media strategically in an entryway, a kitchen, or as a defined accent to add craftsmanship and visual interest without overwhelming the space. Why does it work for fall and holidays? An entryway is often the first thing guests see. A herringbone pattern makes a statement the moment they walk in. Big and Seamless Wide-plank wood and large-format tile remain popular because they have fewer seams and grout lines, which make a room feel larger and more open. These styles are also easier to keep clean when hosting family and friends for holiday events—open-concept spaces used for entertaining benefit from the seamless flow that wide planks and large tiles create. Waterproof Doesn’t Mean Compromise Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and rigid core hybrid flooring have become so realistic that it’s tough to tell them apart from real hardwood. For entryways, kitchens, and mudrooms- the spots that take the brunt of muddy boots and melted snow- these waterproof options offer peace of mind without sacrificing style. Why does it work for the fall and holidays? Wet weather and holiday cooking mean spills are inevitable. Waterproof flooring in high-traffic areas takes the stress out of hosting.

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www.georgepaving.com October2026 7

RESIDENT

feature

Homegrown & Heartfelt: HOW THE LONGS CULTIVATE COMMUNITY By Mallory Hardgrove Photography by Karen Presecan Photography

In the quiet South Stafford neighborhood where Robin and Lester Long have made their home since 2011, success is measured not in profits but in community connections. At the heart of their story lies Long Family Markets. This business represents far more than commerce—it’s a platform for service, a bridge between generations, and a testament to the power of following one’s passion. A Partnership Built on Service Robin and Les Long’s 25-year journey together began in an unlikely intersection of careers—she in healthcare, he served our nation in uniform. “We met when I was working in healthcare, and Les had a career in the US Army,” Robin recalls. “We have both since moved on to other things, career-wise, in addition to the market. Les works for the FBI, and I do consulting work.” Les’s military service is a testament to the Long family’s unwavering commitment to service. After 30 years in the Army, including five combat tours throughout the Middle East, he retired as a decorated enlisted soldier. His accolades include three Bronze Stars and the Legion of Merit award—honors that Robin mentions with evident pride, though she notes he wouldn’t want to share such details himself. The transition from military life to civilian careers might have marked the end of their service-oriented lifestyle, but for the Longs, it merely took a different form. “Community Service is something we are both very passionate about and love that we are able to use the market as a platform to help families in our community,” Robin explains. From Healthcare to Farmers Markets Robin’s career evolution reflects a journey of adaptation and pursuit of a passion project. Her healthcare background included work as a surgical technician and later in administration, with one particularly meaningful role in harvesting bone and tissue for the 8 StaffordLiving

American Red Cross. “Of all the jobs I’ve held through the years, that is one that I miss the most... I was always seeing and learning something new,” she reflects. “I think the learning aspect and knowing that the result of my efforts helped people in need made it one of the more rewarding ventures in my career.” When she relocated to Virginia in 2011 to join Les during his Pentagon assignment, Robin initially planned to take a break from her healthcare career. That break lasted exactly one month. “I lasted about a month of staying at home before I started baking and turned that passion into a business,” she says. That boutique bakery business, called Lovely, became her entry point into the farmers market world— a decision that would reshape not only their family’s future but the local market landscape in Stafford. A Multi-Generational Enterprise What makes Long Family Markets truly special is its multi-generational approach. In 2015, Robin and Les formalized their partnership through Long & Long LLC, operating as Long Family Markets. By 2022, they welcomed their daughter Elizabeth as a partial owner, creating a true family enterprise. Elizabeth Long, a graduate of Germanna Community College, embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that defines her family. She owns and operates Sugar & Pop, using the profits to fund her education while teaching her valuable business skills. And business is in her blood. Elizabeth has recently launched a new division of Sugar & Pop, offering outdoor movie experiences with an oversized blow up screen and of course

© Best Version Media sweet and salty snacks to enjoy. Elizabeth is also continuing her education online as a student at Cornell University. “She has used her business as a platform to fund her education and has a passion for entrepreneurship,” Robin proudly notes. Beyond her own business ventures and educational pursuits, Elizabeth serves on the Long & Long LLC board as an advisor and coaches the Stafford High School Step Team. “I try not to ‘proud Mom’ too much,” Robin laughs, “but she is a very driven and impressive young lady. I am so honored to be able to work with her and love being able to hear her ideas and see her vision for our business growth.” Life Beyond Business The Long family’s Stafford home reflects their values of connection—both to the community and to each other. Their household resembles a small menagerie, housing five dogs led by Manley, a Cavachon father, along with three of his offspring: Brown, Coco, and Manley Jr. (affectionately called MJ despite being female). Their newest addition, Sunday, came from a rescue visit at the marketplace—a Chiweenie named for being one of their “Sunday Blessings.” The animal family extends to four parakeets, several fish, a guinea pig named Squeak, and Pancetta, a hairless guinea pig whose name reflects Robin’s culinary humor. Robin’s personal interests center around simple pleasures that feed both body and soul. “I am a bookworm at heart and love to read. It’s not unusual for me to read a book or two every week,” she shares. Her gardening passion extends to growing much of their summer food, while her cooking adventures take place in a brick oven that Elizabeth built in the center of their garden. Their choice to settle in Stafford reflects an intentional balance between accessibility and tranquility. “We chose this part of Virginia because it was close enough for my husband to commute to the Pentagon, but far enough from DC that there were still some more rural parts - which we prefer to live in,” Robin explains. Finding Community Connection For Robin, the most rewarding aspect of their life in Stafford centers on relationships. “I would have to say it’s the people here,” she says when asked what she enjoys most about the area. “I am from a fairly rural area—more ‘small town’ and we love the sense of community we have built here with the market and our neighbors.” The farmers market has become more than a business venue: it’s “my happy place,” Robin shares. She describes the joy of seeing regular customers who have become friends and connecting with new people. “I try hard to take the time to stop and talk and get to know the people that come through the marketplace and, honestly, have formed a lot of friendships that are family relationships through the market.”

munity through Long Family Markets, each chapter reflects a dedication to something greater than individual success. “Gosh, we sound busy,” Robin admits. “We are, but in a lot of ways, the market is more of a love than a job.” In that simple statement lies the secret to their success: when work becomes love– and love becomes service– the result is a life of purpose that enriches not just the family but the entire community. As they continue to build their business and watch Elizabeth pursue her entrepreneurial dreams, the Longs represent the best of American entrepreneurship: family-centered, community-focused, and grounded in service to others. For more information about Long Family Markets, please visit their website at longfamilymarkets.com or visit them at the 610 Slug Lot on Sundays!

Capturing special moments

with family, pets and more.

When not working, the family enjoys the natural beauty of their area, with Government Island and the Crows Nest ranking as favorite outdoor spaces. Amy’s Cafe provides occasional dining out, though Robin’s love of cooking keeps most meals homemade. A Legacy of Service The Long family story illustrates how service takes many forms. From Les’s military dedication to Robin’s healthcare background, from Elizabeth’s entrepreneurial spirit to their collective commitment to the com-

Karen Presecan, M.Photog.,CPP

karen@kpresecanphotography.com www.kpresecanphotography.com

October2026 9

HIGH SCHOOL

highlights

FINDING STORIES AT MOUNTAIN VIEW By Kira Pohwala

Kira Pohwala is a senior at Mountain View High School, where she serves as a leader in Spanish Honors Society, Prowl Publishing Literary Magazine, Our Minds Matter, Amnesty International, Youth for Planetary Health, and English Honors Society. She volunteers frequently at the library and tutors peers in math, Spanish, and English.

Everyone has a story to tell. At Mountain View High School, students have many opportunities to discover, create, and share those stories. Whether through writing, games, photography, performance, or literature, creative students can find places to turn their ideas into something others can experience. One of the newest opportunities is Strategy Club, where students can tell stories through board games and Dungeons & Dragons. D&D, in particular, lets students create characters, build worlds, develop plots, and collaborate on adventures. Even students who have never considered themselves writers can become storytellers by deciding who their character is and helping shape the story as it unfolds. Board games offer a different kind of storytelling, challenging players to make decisions and create their own experiences.

For students who prefer putting their stories on paper, Mountain View offers several publications. The Prowl Publishing literary magazine gives students a space to share poetry, short stories, artwork, and other creative works. The Viewpoint newspaper allows students to tell the stories of the Mountain View community through articles, interviews, and coverage of school events. Meanwhile, the Cat’s Eye yearbook preserves the stories of an entire school year through photography, writing, design, and student memories. Storytelling also happens through reading. The Café Book Club allows students to discuss books, characters, themes, and the different ways authors construct their stories. Similarly, the Battle of the Books team brings students together around literature through reading and competition. Both activities let students experience stories from the reader’s perspective while connecting with others who share that interest. For students who prefer a more hands-on form of storytelling, other creative outlets include the Art and Ceramics clubs and the Sorry in Advance! Improv troupe, and the Wild Acts theater department. A piece of art can communicate an idea, represent an experience, or give someone a way to express themselves without words. At Mountain View, being a storyteller does not require sitting down and writing a novel. Stories can be created through a D&D campaign, captured in a yearbook photograph, written in a newspaper article, or discussed over a book. The opportunities are as varied as the students themselves. Ultimately, these clubs and activities offer more than another extracurricular: they give students an audience, a community, and a chance to make their voices heard. At Mountain View, every creative student has the opportunity to find their story and share it.

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October2026 11

Locally Owned, Community Driven: Window World of Fredericksburg Does More Than Windows Your home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. Katie Duvall and the team at Window World of Fredericksburg have spent over two decades making sure it looks and performs like it. As a locally owned exterior remodeling company, Window World of Fredericksburg specializes in replacement windows, doors, roofing, siding, and gutters. But what really sets them apart is the way they treat people. No high-pressure sales tactics. No gimmicks. No hassle. Just honest conversations, quality craftsmanship, and a genuine commitment to getting it right. Every time. Their promise has never changed: superior products, professionally installed, at a guaranteed low price, all

backed by the strongest warranty in the industry. It is a straightforward philosophy that has earned them loyal customers, glowing reviews, and a reputation that speaks for itself across the Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Spotsylvania communities. And when they are not transforming homes, they are investing in the community that has supported them from the beginning. Window World of Fredericksburg proudly gives back to the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, Hub of Hope, the Fredericksburg SPCA, and Micah Ministries, because a thriving community is good for everyone.

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PET

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stick leads to intense oral irritation and profuse drooling. 2. Preventing Escapes and Lost Pets With front doors opening repeatedly for trickor-treaters, Halloween is a prime night for startled pets to slip out into the dark: • Physical Collar Tags: Ensure your pet wears a comfortable, properly fitted collar with up-to-date physical ID tags. • Microchip Registry Check: Verify that your pet’s microchip contact details (especially your primary cell phone number) are active and current in the national registry before the sun sets.

Halloween is peak season for festive fun, but it also brings a predictable seasonal surge in pet anxiety, unexpected escapes, toxic ingestions, and costume-related discomfort. With fall in full swing and Halloween right around the corner, the entire community gets swept up in the holiday. Planning around four core safety pillars will keep your pets comfortable, calm, and safe all night long. 1. Toxin Awareness Keep all treat bowls and collection bags well out of reach, as several popular Halloween items pose real health risks: • Chocolate: Dark chocolate and cocoa powder carry the highest risk, but even mild chocolate in sufficient amounts can cause severe cardiac issues and seizures. • Sugar-Free Candy: Xylitol (also labeled as birch sugar), commonly found in sugar-free candies and gums, can trigger a dangerous drop in blood sugar as well as acute liver failure. • Raisins: Small, snack-sized boxes frequently turn up in trick-or-treat bags, but even a tiny amount can trigger acute kidney failure in dogs. • High-Fat Snacks: Fatty baked goods, butter-laden treats, and rich table scraps can trigger pancreatitis, a painful, potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas that requires urgent veterinary care. • Wrappers and Glow Sticks: Chewed-up candy bags, wrappers, decorations, and costume pieces can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages. Puncturing a glow

3. Reducing Stress and Noise Sensitivity Constant doorbell rings, flashing lights, and costumed strangers at the door can trigger severe noise and crowd anxiety. A few layered, low-risk strategies can help keep your pet’s nervous system grounded: • A Quiet Retreat: Set up a safe space in a back room far from the entryway. Playing white noise or soft music helps mask sounds outside, while a snug pressure wrap (like a ThunderShirt) offers gentle, continuous tactile grounding. • Targeted Acupressure: Apply soft, circular thumb pressure for one to two minutes at these calming points: ჿ An-Shen: Located in the hollows just behind the base of the ear flap to calm fear and racing heart rates. ჿ Long-Hui: Located on the midline of the forehead between the eyes to act as a natural “reset button.” ჿ GV20: Found at the top center of the head between the ears to ease internal tension and encourage deep relaxation. • Calming Supplements: Hemp-derived CBD (I only recommend ElleVet for pets due to their rigorous safety and dosing profiles) or OTC supplements built around L-theanine and colostrum can effectively take the edge off. These typically require 1-2 hours to take full effect, so always run a trial dose a few days before the big night. As always, check with your vet before starting anything new to ensure it fits your pet’s medical history. • Prescription Options: For pets with severe noise phobias, your vet can recommend and prescribe targeted

calming medications. These require an up-to-date physical exam, so plan ahead and don’t wait until Halloween afternoon to request a prescription! 4. Safe & Low-Stress Costumes If you decide to dress up your pet (and they enthusiastically agree to participate!), make sure function and safety come before a photo-op: • Airway First: Flat-faced breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Frenchies already work harder to breathe normally. Keep the nose, neck, and throat completely uncompressed to avoid restricted airways or rapid overheating. • Protect the Gait: Tight leg openings, dangling fabric, or restrictive chest straps alter how your pet walks, leading to acute muscle strain or trips and falls. • Low-Stress Costume Ideas: ჿ The “Pup-kin” Spice Latte: An orange sweater paired with a white neck ruff and a green felt “straw” clipped safely to a harness. ჿ The Bat Dog: Soft felt wings attached directly to the back of a standard chest harness, leaving all four legs completely free. ჿ The Beanie Baby: A classic felt “TY” heart tag clipped directly to their collar ring. By taking a proactive approach to Halloween preparations you can protect your pet from whiskers to tail, ensuring the only ghosts in your home this year are the ones made of bedsheets.

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October2026 13

KIDS

corner

October:

DAZZLE’S MIX-AND-MATCH PUMPKIN PATCH

By Stephanie Cox, Owner, Art Cart Kids Enrichment Studio

Create Your Pumpkin Patch 4. Fill your pumpkins with 1. Gather several round child-choice colors and household objects in designs. Try stripes, different sizes. dots, zigzags, swirls or 2. Place one object on your patterns of your own. paper and trace around it You can even turn them with a pencil. Trace more into Jack-o-lanterns. objects to create as many 5. Add details around your pumpkins as you choose. pumpkins to show where 3. Turn each circle into a they are and what might pumpkin by adding a stem be happening in your and a few curved lines. pumpkin patch. Use Your Creative Superpowers or living inside a magical • Notice: Look around your home for objects you could pumpkin village. trace. What shapes do you • Explore: Try overlapping your circles or placing notice? Find something round, something with them in different parts straight sides and something of the paper. Turn your with an unusual shape. pumpkins into new shapes Could all of these shapes by adding lines, patterns and unexpected details. become pumpkins? • Imagine: Where might • Share: Tell a story about your your pumpkins be? Perhaps pumpkin patch. Who lives they are growing on a farm, there? What are the pumpkins doing? What happens next? glowing in a moonlit forest

Make It Your Own Pumpkins are often orange, but yours can be any childchoice colors. One might have rainbow stripes, zebra spots or a different pattern in every section. Hi, artists! It’s Dazzle the Zebra. Have you taken a trip to a pumpkin patch or even the grocery store and noticed that pumpkins are not all alike? Some are tall and twisty. Others are tiny, round or covered with bumps. Today, you’ll use your four Creative Superpowers to create a pumpkin patch filled with unusual colors, playful patterns and plenty of imagination! Gather Your Supplies • Plain paper • A pencil • Crayons or markers • Household objects to trace, such as cups, bowls, lids, blocks or cookie cutters

UNLEASH YOUR CHILD’S CREATIVE SUPERPOWERS! A ONE-OF-A-KIND ART EXPERIENCE!

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Your pumpkins can wear hats, grow wings, ride in wagons or become houses for tiny creatures. Follow your imagination and create a pumpkin patch unlike anyone else’s. Ta-Dazzle! You used your Creative Superpowers to turn ordinary circles into an October world filled with imagination!

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AGAIN!

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